Born on September 2, 1930 in Jiangsu, Sung was graduated from the Zhendan College of Yangzhou. He moved to Hong Kong in 1949, and befriended future auteur King Hu, who introduced him to Li Han-hsiang and Siwei Films, writing the script of River Of Romance.

He joined Shaw Brothers in 1956, and then switched to Hsin Hwa Motion Picture Company three years later as continuity. He returned to Shaw in 1961 and promoted to assistant director. Sung then went to Taiwan with Li Han-hsiang two years later and worked under Guolian Films.

His directorial debut arrived in 1966 with A Perturbed Girl, followed by the critically acclaimed At Dawn. Sung then turned his attention to the melodrama genre. Sung co-founded the film company Ba Zhi Nian Dai (“The 80’s”) with director Yueh Cheng-chun and produced Brigitte Lin’s signature film Outside The Window. Sung then returned to Shaw and helmed Thirteen, starring Ling Yun and Chin Han.

Next, he tried his hands on TV in 1981, as the executive line producer of a serial drama in Taiwan. He went back to the big screen in 1982 and directed A Lily In The Valley. Sung had won numerous kudos, including Best Mandarin Film by the 1968 National Critic Society for At Dawn; Outstanding Feature Film of the 9th Golden Horse Awards for You Don't Tell Him, Best Mandarin Film by the 1968 National Critic Society for The Story Of My Mother, and Outstanding Feature Film of the 15th Golden Horse Awards for Chelsia My Love.

He was crowned with the Golden Lotus Award at the 2001 Deauville Film Festival of France, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 38th Golden Horse Awards.